Student Speak

UOIT style: what students are wearing around campus

Hey Student Speak readers! You might not know this but I have a passion for fashion! That being said I just had to take a look at the style scene at UOIT and bring it to you.

I visited both the downtown and north Oshawa locations to see what students are wearing to class. I talked to a bunch of students to find out what seems to be popular this season around UOIT. Hint: a lot of plaid, black pants (may that be leggings, jeans or trousers), and a lot of pops of UOIT blue.

Take a look below at some of the fashionable students I talked to and what they had to say about their look and their thoughts on fashion.

Today I decided to go with a neutral, ready for class look. I paired a brown suede jacket from "All Saints" with a brown leather coach messenger bag and some chocolate Clarke desert boots. Tied it all together with a plain white T and some dark blue chinos.

Why did you choose this look?

This is definitely more of an academic look than I normally go for. That's because my professors don't take me seriously when I have holes in my clothing

What is one style piece you can't live without?

I've found a new love for a store called "Scotch and Soda" out of Amsterdam and a piece I can't live without from there would be my black jeans that just go with anything.

"I am typically a tights and comfy sweater type of gal. But being around students who really try to put their best foot forward, starting with appearance, inspires me to try a few new style things as well."

Why do you make an effort to be stylish at school?

"I dress up to inspire myself to act as confidently as I hope to be. I tend to think that most people are way cooler than I am; choosing an outfit that I feel happy in boosts my mood and makes me more courageous."

What is one style piece you can’t live without?

"My Claddagh ring, my hair (and whatever colour I have it to be) or my glasses! All three represent different parts of my personality: my faith, my rebellious side and my love of academia."

"I’d probably say my fashion icon is my roommate - she always has a good sense of style!"

Why do you make an effort to be stylish at school?

"I like to dress up for school because I feel it’s a professional environment. I get up and try to look nice because any day that you don’t, is just a waste of a day you could be looking nice. It’s always a good impression when someone says “girl you look so good today!” School really is like your workplace so it makes sense to put that extra effort in."

What is one style piece you couldn't live without?

"My favourite places to shop are Urban Planet, Suzy Shier and Dynamite and I have way too many clothes to decide what item I cannot live without!"

Stacey - third year Political Science student

What she's wearing:

"I am wearing a fancy retro blazer that reminds me of what David Bowie would have worn in the 80’s. I was walking down an isle in Value Village one day and saw this vibrant shiny material at the corner of my eye, and when I tried it on I realized how much I adore styles from this decade. I put this look together because the gold buttons matched the royal purple color of the jacket."

Who is your style icon?

"My style icon would have to be Iris Apfel, an extraordinary 95-year-old New York fashion icon who wears insanely bright and multi-layered clothing. She is an inspiration because she does what she loves with such confidence and grace. My favourite quote from Iris Apfel is “When we were small children we all played dress-up and everybody had a good time, so why stop? "

What is one style piece you could not live without?

"I cannot live without a simple long silver necklace. When I wear bold and bright blazers, I find that its better to complete the outfit with a small necklace. You will find me wearing my peace sign necklace or a gold heart on a chain quite often. It depends on the outfit, but sometimes the less accessories, the better!"

What is your favourite store?

"My favourite places to shop are thrift stores and value village. I simply cannot control my excitement when I find clothing that was made in the 70’s or 80’s and in good condition. The store located in Downtown Oshawa called Fashion Rebel is also fabulous, you can find many unique items there."

Ali – fourth year Political Science student

What he's wearing:

"The sweater and pants are from Your Neighbours, the jacket from Zara and the hat was given to me by a friend of mine! Oh and the shirt under the sweater is from Adidas."

Who is your style icon?

"My style icon is Yohji Yamamoto."

Why do you make an effort to be stylish at school?

"I don't feel like I'm intentionally dressing up, I just make smart purchases."

What is the one style piece you can't live without?

"I can't live without a baseball cap, because I can't be bothered to get haircuts on the regular."

"Today I am wearing a casual outfit, sticking to light tones, other than the red nylon shoes. I put together a pair of grey, slim fitting pants, a plain white tee, and one of my favorite light blue button up shirts."

Who is your style icon?

"My fashion icon is Mr Omar Rahal, and my favourite place to shop is his closet."

Why do you make an effort to be stylish at school?

"I chose to dress a little nicer today to give myself a confidence boost as I went to write a quiz for class."